Cube T9 64bit octacore A53 4G beast.

[giouncino]

I see the build quality on the T9 as top notch ...no issues what-so-ever. One can have a sightly thicker tablet, and still have excellent quality.

It may be that we have a different perspective on what makes up build quality.

If you are considering being thinner as a part of the quality equation, then the 9X would have an edge here ...but to me that is not to be considered in build quality.

Bottom line, they are both built about as good as anything I have seen out of China ...better than most anyone ...and pretty much equal in the overall quality.

example:

back of T9 is simple plastic (golf ball style)

back of cube talk 9x is polished alluminum, this is part of higher quality to me...


probably we should take a look on both tablets side by side to consider them better!

Out of doubt: both of them are the very best tablets produced by a chinese brand so far.

[BamaPanda]

example:

back of T9 is simple plastic (golf ball style)

back of cube talk 9x is polished alluminum, this is part of higher quality to me...


probably we should take a look on both tablets side by side to consider them better!

Out of doubt: both of them are the very best tablets produced by a chinese brand so far.

I see your point about the plastic back, but keep in mind that the T9 has structual integrity within (the metal rollcage/plate) that the 9X does not have. The 9X depends on the metal back to give it that rigidity.

It would be of interest to know what Cube was thinking when they went to this design. It is not wrong; it is just different.

I made another post about the types of build we are seeing in some quality tablets from China.
Examples might be.
Cube 9X - Traditional design; metal back with glass laminated/glued to front.
iFive Air - Laminated/glued layers from front to back from what I can see.
& the new ..
Cube T9 - Again with a traditional design, in that the inside is easily acessed, but using the roll cage plate within to support a rigid case.

I have not paid that much attention to wi-fi reception on the T9 vs. the 9X, but one might consider this is why they went to the new design with the full plastic back.

As you said, both highly quality tabs, but somewhat of a mystery why Cube felt the need to make this change.

[zdun8]

I got it finally

I got my T9 finally after two weeks of waiting.

This is my first tablet ever.

From score 1 to 10 I would give T9 a solid 8.5. It's relatively cheap, it's blazing fast, it's got a nice screen, LTE. On the other hand it's quite heavy. The build quality in my opinion is very good.

Would I prefer to have a 100g lighter tablet, but have -3hrs of battery life? Nope, I prefer it this way.

The screen is grainy a bit, but you don't really notice it.

As for the LTE I got 15 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload on my network, dunno if that's maximum for my provider.

OTA updates work really well.

The price/performance ratio is really good

PS. It's really fast, fast, fast.

[giouncino]

BamaPanda, simply they changed position of the antennas: on cube talk 9x all antennas are localized under the only little plastic part of the back cover, probably on T9 they simply COULDN'T localize the antenna in a single small spot, and to avoid doing multiple inserts, probably not so cost-effective, they decided to build a plastic back cover, BUT to grant a good rigidity placed the "roll cage plate" behind the display.

The bad things of this design are two: higher weight and plastic cover "feeling" of not premium quality!

I think that if they can, on future models they will go back on alluminum back cover. I'm almost sure of that.
In any case I'm really happy that cube is trying new engineering ways, it's promising because this is a proof that they "think" and not only "copy" from others.

Furthermore an alluminum back cover is a good emi shield for other interferences that may come in or out of the tablet.

Don't get me wrong, there are REALLY MANY good points to go for the T9, build quality is STILL one of them, even if it is a little step behind wrt the 9x, and in my opinion now T9 IS THE TABLET TO GO for every one that want to buy a new tablet for sure.

[Edius]

........
The bad things of this design are two: higher weight and plastic cover "feeling" of not premium quality!

I think that if they can, on future models they will go back on alluminum back cover. I'm almost sure of that.

My R.I.P Pipo M9Pro was with aluminium back cover and never felt premium, nor build quality, design or anything else.
Aluminium somehow blocks signal and we don't have to forget T9 is 4G LTE with dual antenna, perhaps 4G functionality has lead to this design.
I am positive for this design with optimum functionality vs. premium look and bad 4G functionality.
When I buy a new tablet, usually is accompanied by a cover and back side is not one decisive point.
Cube Talk 9X is still a beauty in my eyes.

L.E
Here is newest Cube i7, with Intel Core-M, 3G/4G, aluminium back cover and a prohibitive price. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/The-L...267677133.html
Those who expected Core-M, can look now at this monster and focus to range T9 / Talk 9X

[BamaPanda]

The pipo M9 Pro was mentioned. I still have an M8 Pro. Somewhat of an antique now, but still going!

The Cube 9X shows what good quality control can do for a tablet with a removable metal back. That tablet is solid ...no creaks or pops ...unlike the M8 Pro which pops on one side any time I give it a little squeeze.

I think Edius may have hit on the reason for Cubes decision to go with a full plastic back ...the dual antenna setup.

Thanks

[giouncino]

That is exaclty what I wrote before: antenna position!

[giouncino]

...
I am positive for this design with optimum functionality vs. premium look and bad 4G functionality.
When I buy a new tablet, usually is accompanied by a cover and back side is not one decisive point.
....

I totally agree with what you wrote!
It is not a shame the use of plastic, of course.

Functionality came first.

[maxecume]

Planning to buy a T9, do you know if we can "reasonably" hope for Lollipop on it? to have a way to refer to, does Cube usually upgrade? did Talk 9x upgrade on Kitkat, before or was Kitkat already on?
My other issue is the small available space to install apps (actually 1.94 Gbs); what is your opinion about that?

[kzeele]

I had the same problem. But the difference was 30 USD, not 80. And I bought T9.

$30 difference?! when did you buy it and how much was both tablets?

@BamaPanda
And yes i did use the coupon code to get 25% off. Comes down to $171 for 9x and $254 for T9. The CPU is probably not all that different in speed but I'm concerned about the GPU Mali 450. How powerful is this? Can I play games with smoothness and not lag?

And does anyone know when the coupon code expires? I'm thinking they may have more discounts on Chinese New Years

[BamaPanda]

That is exaclty what I wrote before: antenna position!

Yes, you did ..and thank you!

I was just not clear about dual antennas until Edius mentioned it in regard to the 4G.

[zdun8]

$30 difference?! when did you buy it and how much was both tablets?

Well, okay I didn't take into account the discount for 9X, sorry.

I wanted to spend ~200 USD, so I could get 9X for ~210 USD (no discount) and T9 for ~259USD (at that time), but I got a discount code (-6%) at geekbuying.com (I recommend this shop to everyone) and T9 was then for 244 USD, and I thought that is a fair price for this tablet. I got it and I am happy

I think lolipop is just a matter of time. There were 3 updates since December so I think that Cube is taking this tablet very seriously.

[BamaPanda]

Planning to buy a T9, do you know if we can "reasonably" hope for Lollipop on it? to have a way to refer to, does Cube usually upgrade? did Talk 9x upgrade on Kitkat, before or was Kitkat already on?
My other issue is the small available space to install apps (actually 1.94 Gbs); what is your opinion about that?

I have no doubt we will get LP. I have used OTA twice to upgrade the software.
9X was 4.4.4 when I got it.
The only way to resolve the 2 Gbyte issue is to root, and 4.4.4 is difficult to root. It will happen though. Actually Kingroot is supposed to do it, but I have not tried yet.
For me the 2 Gbyte setup is not an issue.

Enjoy!

[maxecume]

I have no doubt we will get LP. I have used OTA twice to upgrade the software.
9X was 4.4.4 when I got it.
The only way to resolve the 2 Gbyte issue is to root, and 4.4.4 is difficult to root. It will happen though. Actually Kingroot is supposed to do it, but I have not tried yet.
For me the 2 Gbyte setup is not an issue.

Enjoy!

thank you for your answer.
another question about T9? have you got or do you know the way to use MHL on it?
(an adaptator or something because no HDMI port on T9)
if yes, where can we find it ? (I know the Miracast thing...
And Talk 9x was effectively 4.4.4 but did Talk9 (the previous one, U39?) upgrade?

[BamaPanda]

thank you for your answer.
another question about T9? have you got or do you know the way to use MHL on it?
(an adaptator or something because no HDMI port on T9)
if yes, where can we find it ? (I know the Miracast thing...
And Talk 9x was effectively 4.4.4 but did Talk9 (the previous one, U39?) upgrade?

I do not know on either. Perhaps another will answer.